On April 1, 2015, the Department for Infrastructure, formerly known as the Department for Regional Development, transferred all of its off-street car parks - excluding Park and Ride/Park and Share - to councils.

The income generated by each Council-owned car park in Belfast has been detailed in a report to go before councillors on Wednesday.

Between April 2016 and March 2017 off-street car parking generated an operating surplus of £1,014,444.

Belfast City Council initially became responsible for the operation of 30 car parks, although this has reduced to 29 through the expiration of a short term lease at the Frederick Street car park.

Of the remaining 29 car parks 16 are chargeable and attract a surplus income whilst the remaining 13 car parks are free to use.

For the financial year April 1, 2016, to March 31, 2017, the car parks within the Council’s portfolio generated a total of £1,878,044 which includes Pay and Display, Season Ticket, Parkmobile (Cashless payment by telephone), Penalty Charge Notice and advertising hoarding income streams.

The costs associated with operating these car parks during the same period totalled £863,599.

These costs include rent, rates, enforcement costs, cleaning and maintenance. However they do not include internal charges such as business administration, legal and digital services.

But in papers the council pointed out: "It should be noted however that off street car parking function transferred to Council together with Planning on a rates neutral basis with the surplus generated by off street parking off-set against the cost of the Planning function to ensure no overall financial gain or increased cost to the Council or its rate payers."